December 31, 2012 | 2:25 am

December 31, 2012

Posted by Shmuel Rosner

IDF armored vehicles positioned along the Gaza border during Operation Pillar of Defense, November 2012. (Photo: Reuters)

In-depth

The Good War: Israel, Egypt And Hamas

The latest conflict between Israel and Hamas illustrates the businesslike attitude the two sides have adopted, writes Geoffrey Aronson in Al Monitor. 

Israel and Hamas are each observing a cease-fire, which according to Israeli officials has resulted in the first period of “absolute quiet” in years. Within days of  the end of hostilities Israel doubled to 6.9 kilometers the maritime border for Gaza’s fishermen, not adequate but a welcome improvement nonetheless. The Israeli-imposed 300 meter no-go zone inside Gaza’s  50 km border with Israel — which had placed off limits almost one third of Gaza’s much-needed agricultural land  was also reduced. Farmers are already planting these newly “liberated” areas without serious incident and  Hamas forces armed only with batons are now patrolling the border opposite unarmored Israeli military vehicles.

Bibi’s Brain

Allison Hoffman of Tablet Magazine takes a look Netanyahu's Florida-born aide, as speculation mounts that he will be the next ambassador to the U.S.

[Ron] Dermer’s title is senior adviser to the prime minister, and he’s a jack-of-all-trades—strategist, pollster, and speechwriter for Netanyahu, as well as his chief proxy in foreign affairs. A constant presence in Netanyahu’s meetings in Washington, he has helped shape Israel’s posture in the American capital most notably through Netanyahu’s spring speech to the U.S. Congress, which foiled President Barack Obama’s effort to pressure the prime minister into meaningful negotiations with the Palestinians. “Bibi doesn’t move an inch without talking to him,” said one person who has been in meetings with both men. 

Daily Digest

• Times of Israel: Azerbaijan FM: No Western powers may launch attack on Iran from our territory
• Haaretz: Supreme Court shortens prison sentence of former IDF soldier Anat Kamm
• Jerusalem Post: Poll: Two-thirds of Israelis back peace plan that deals with security concerns
• Ynet: Dangers of assimilation
• New York Times: Israel, in Shift, Lets Building Materials Cross Into Gaza
• Washington Post: Syria’s descent into hell
• Wall Street Journal: Diving Currency Adds to Egypt's Woes

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